Poll: Majority in U.S. support immigration reform

TRENTON — The majority of Americans will pressure their elected officials to support immigration reform, according to a poll released on Thursday.

The results of the poll show more than 71 percent of Americans overwhelmingly support immigration reform and 54 percent said they were less likely to support an elected official who opposed a change to immigration rules.

The results were released by the Partnership for a New American Economy, an advocacy group which brings together more than 500 Republican, Democratic, and Independent mayors and business leaders across the country that are making the economic case for streamlining, modernizing, and rationalizing our immigration system.

“Support for immigration reform is broad and especially strong among persuadable independents that Republicans need to win elections,” said Charlie Spies, co-founder of Republicans for Immigration Reform. “There is no question that Republicans have significantly more risk in opposing immigration reform than they do in supporting it. If we want Republican majorities in the future and a shot at taking back the White House in 2016, Republicans had better find a way to support the immigration reform that likely voters are calling for.”

Advertisement

A member of the Partnership and a very vocal advocate for immigration reform, members of the MidJersey Chamber of Commerce used their collective voice to lobby Washington lawmakers in a two day summit, last month.

“There are some republicans in Congress, who have some concern with the senate version of the bill and they are not going to pass one comprehensive bill instead there will be various components that will be passed in several smaller bills,” said Robert Prunetti, president and CEO of MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber members who are most keen on loosening immigration rules are those business owners who desperately need specialized and seasonal workers, according to Prunetti.

“Not only are immigrants in New Jersey business owners, but they are also some of the most qualified individuals for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs,” said Samia Bahsoun CEO of S2 Associates in a recent report.

“We must encourage smart immigration reform to retain these foreign-born students studying at STEM institutions in the state. Jobs in these fields are expected to boost economic growth over the next five years. Right now, New Jersey has a shortage of the workers needed to fill important STEM and medical job openings.”

The survey also polled voters in 12 traditional battleground states (Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin), which represent 156 electoral votes, according to the Partnership for a New American Economy. The survey concluded that there is little risk for Republicans in these states to support reform. In these states, less than one quarter of Republicans, and less than 1-in-5 independents, say they are less likely to vote for elected officials who back immigration reform.

About the Author

After being laid off from American Express, Sherrina went back to school and got a masters from C.U.N.Y. She isn't scared to ask tough questions and enjoys getting the story behind the story. Reach the author at Snavani@trentonian.com
.